Using "Special" formats in Excel
If you use Excel to keep mailing lists, phone lists or other data about people or businesses, you may want to know about "Special" formats. Excel has four "Special" formats-
- Zip Code: Retains leading zeros in the value. Example: 00103.
- Zip Code + 4: Automatically separates the last four digits from the first five digits and retains leading zeros. Example: 00103-5756.
- Phone Number: Automatically encloses the first three digits of the number in parentheses and separates the last four digits from the previous three with a dash. Example: (303) 573-1212.
- Social Security Number: Retains leading zeros and automatically puts dashes in the value to separate its digits into groups of three, two, and four. Example: 523-79-9999.
To use the special formats-
- Highlight the cell(s) you wish to format.
- Right click on your selection
- Select Format Cells
- Choose the Number tab
- From the Category window select Special
- From the Type window select the format you need
- Click Okay to close the Format Cells window.
Last updated: 2/22/07